CanadaWhat happens if the manufacturer discovers a safety defect in my vehicle?
If a manufacturer discovers a safety defect in your vehicle in Canada, they must notify Transport Canada and affected owners, and either fix the defect free of charge or clearly explain why no correction will be made.
What the Law Says
The Motor Vehicle Safety Act sets clear legal duties for manufacturers and importers when a safety-related defect is discovered in a vehicle sold in Canada.
Under section 10, any company that manufactures or imports vehicles in Canada must immediately report a safety-related defect to Transport Canada. This notice must be given within 30 days after the company becomes aware of the defect.
Section 10.1 requires the company to correct the defect at no cost to the owner — unless it decides not to correct it, in which case it must notify all affected owners and explain why. The notice to owners must be sent within 10 days after the company decides on its course of action.
These rules apply to all vehicles subject to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, including cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. The law focuses only on defects that relate to safety — not cosmetic, performance, or convenience issues.
Statutory TextA company that manufactures or imports vehicles must give notice of any defect that relates to safety.
— Motor Vehicle Safety Act, s. 10 — Defect notice
Statutory TextCompany must correct the defect or notify affected owners of the defect.
— Motor Vehicle Safety Act, s. 10.1 — Defect correction
What to Do
Check Transport Canada’s recall database (tc.canada.ca/recalls) or sign up for email alerts.
If you receive a recall notice, contact your authorized dealer to schedule a free repair.
Keep records of all correspondence and repair confirmations.
If the manufacturer fails to notify you or refuses to fix a confirmed safety defect, contact Transport Canada’s Vehicle Safety Office.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.